Cattlemen fight for bigger import quotas

The Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) of Western Australia says it is not counting on a late-season increase in Indonesian cattle quotas.

WA's cattle industry is doing it tough this year, after the Indonesian Government's decision to slash import quotas for Australian animals.

A delegation of Northern Territory cattlemen is en route to Indonesia to lobby for an increase in the number of animals that can be sold next year and WA representatives are expected to follow suit before Christmas.

PGA president Rob Gillam says it is unlikely there will be any last minute reprieve this season.

"The numbers in the quota are very much to do with internal Indonesian politics as well, so I don't expect there'll be any extensions to this year's quota," he said.

"I hope we'll see some sort of an increase for next year but there are those in the industry who believe we may even see a further reduction next year.

"So those decisions will be made by the Indonesian people.

"We've got to get up there to sell our own product and try and get the Indonesians to see their way clear to lift the quota numbers so we can get more of the northern cattle, that are specifically bred for that Indonesian market, out into the market."